Wildlife Preservation Canada’s (WPC) Native Pollinator Initiative is looking to hire a technician to assist with the implementation of activities related to their Native Pollinator Initiative based in the Sudbury area. The technician will, supervised by the Project Field Biologist Crew Leader, conduct frequent road-side and on-site bumble bee surveys at multiple locations within public and private properties in the Sudbury region. This student will be offered a unique opportunity for hands-on work with at-risk and declining pollinator species, and he/she will also directly contribute to recovery efforts by supporting logistics of a captive breeding program in the Greater Toronto Area. This student will be primarily responsible for field work and data collection but may have the opportunity to assist with other tasks related to facilitating the recovery of declining bumble bees.

Major Responsibilities:

The technician will be undertaking tasks and responsibilities that fall within the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) field of conservation biology.

Assist with spring wild bee population surveys at multiple sites in the Sudbury region, including collections of yellow-banded bumble bee (Bombus terricola) queens for use in Wildlife Preservation Canada’s conservation breeding program.

Participate in other native pollinator program activities as required, including record-keeping of field data and data entry and analysis, data compilation, science communication and outreach programs, and preliminary report preparation.

Skills and Experience Required:

Possess an understanding of pollinator biology, conservation and ecology.

Enrolled in an applicable college or university program (e.g., biology, ecology, environmental science, wildlife biology, zoology, or other similar disciplines).

Strong interest in ecological field research, including species at-risk issues.

Plant and insect identification skills an asset, with an emphasis on pollinators and pollinator-friendly plants.

Experience conducting biological surveys and working with species at-risk an asset.

Ability to work both in a team and independently. Recognizes when clarification of correct procedures is necessary.

Personable, with good communication skills, a positive attitude, and highly self-motivated. Detail-oriented.

Willing and able to travel long distances across Ontario by car.

A valid Ontario driver’s licence (G-class) and a personal vehicle are assets. Priority will be given to applicants over 25 (given rental vehicle requirements) who do not have access to a vehicle.

Valid First Aid and CPR certification is an asset.

Physically fit and able to endure working in rough terrains, variable weather conditions, and with exposure to biting and stinging insects.

Able and willing to work long hours (up to 12 hours/day) and be away for multiple days at a time, including weekends.

Working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word and Excel).

Eligibility: This position will likely be funded at least partially through the Canada Summer Jobs program. The candidate thus must meet the following requirements to be eligible:

be between 15 and 30 years of age (inclusive) at the start of employment;

was registered as a full-time student during the preceding academic year (2017) and intends to return to school on a full-time basis in the 2018 academic year;

be a Canadian Citizen, permanent resident, or person on whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and;

be legally entitled to work according to the relevant Ontario legislation and regulations.

To apply please send a cover letter and resume to: Genevieve Rowe, Ontario Program Coordinator, jobopportunities@wildlifepreservation.ca. Applications must be received by11:59 pm EST, March 18, 2018. Please submit your application as a single PDF or MS word file attachment and include in the email subject heading “WPC Bumble Bee Conservation Technician – Sudbury Region”. We thank you for your interest, however only individuals considered for an interview will be contacted.

Please note these positions are only open to continuing students that are Canadian residents. Thank you for your interest!

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About Us

Wildlife Preservation Canada saves animals on the brink of extinction. Since 1985, we’ve been saving critically endangered species – species whose numbers in the wild are so low that a great deal more than habitat protection is required to recover them.